What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Public Defender position at National Legal Aid & Defender Association?
Position Description
Help change the justice system! Texas RioGrande Public Defender is opening a first-ever public defender’s office in Eagle Pass, Texas that will service Maverick, Dimmit and Zavala Counties. This is a transformative opportunity to establish gold-standard representation in an area that has never had consistent, systemic access to justice for poor people accused of crimes. After years of these jurisdictions’ failing to provide effective assistance of counsel, the Maverick Regional Public Defenders Office (“Maverick RPDO”) will alter the landscape of criminal justice in these critical border counties. TRGPD is looking for a zealous, client-centered, and visionary changemaker to spearhead justice in communities that have been left behind for too long. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to advance justice, for those who dare.
Chief Public Defender, Maverick Regional Public Defender
Help change the justice system! Texas RioGrande Public Defender is opening a first-ever public defender’s office in Eagle Pass, Texas that will service Maverick, Dimmit and Zavala Counties. This is a transformative opportunity to establish gold-standard representation in an area that has never had consistent, systemic access to justice for poor people accused of crimes. After years of these jurisdictions’ failing to provide effective assistance of counsel, the Maverick Regional Public Defenders Office (“Maverick RPDO”) will alter the landscape of criminal justice in these critical border counties. TRGPD is looking for a zealous, client-centered, and visionary changemaker to spearhead justice in communities that have been left behind for too long. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to advance justice, for those who dare.
Chief Public Defender, Maverick Regional Public Defender
- Launch and lead a brand-new public defender’s office
- Establish a culture of client-centered, team-oriented advocacy that fights for clients
- Create, with support from Executive Leadership, gold-standard processes for advocates to follow in representing clients
- Effectively communicate with local stakeholders to build strong community relationships
- Assist in tracking data measuring the impact of the Maverick RPDO’s representation, including jail population and disposition data
- Monitor caseloads for Maverick RPDO attorneys in the ramp-up period and after achieving full staffing to ensure manageable caseloads
- Work in partnership with Executive Leadership to implement key strategies and initiatives to achieve Maverick RPDO’s goals and objectives
- Maintain a 40% caseload that includes high level felonies, misdemeanors and juvenile cases
- Mentor and train newly licensed attorneys within Maverick RPDO, by assisting in case file reviews, developing trainings, attending court hearings with young attorneys, and serving as lead counsel or cocounsel on trials with new lawyers, as needed
- Maintain a supportive and positive work environment for their team
- Contribute to the progress and development of TRGPD as a whole